Auxiliary refrigerating apparatus

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for chest-type freezers and the like, for automatically spraying a coolant into the freezer. The apparatus includes an elongated tubular member having a plurality of spaced openings therein for spraying coolant within a cavity, an outlet for relieving pressure build-up within the cavity, and a pair of spaced flat portions allowing the elongated member to rest on the walls of the freezer with the door closed. Controls are provided for automatically spraying coolant into the freezer responsive to a predetermined condition.

United States Patent Clark AUXILIARY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS [72] inventor: Robert E. Clark, West Columbia,

[73] Assignee: Revco,lnc.,Colurnbia,S.C.

[22] Filed: Jan. 25, 1971 {21] Appl.No.: 109,314

[52] U.S. Cl ..62/222, 62/5l4 [51] Int. Cl ..F25b 41/04 [58] Field of Search ..62/5l4, 45, 216, 222, 223

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,281,075 l0/l966 Smyers ..62/5 14 3,257,820 6/1966 Czse ..62/5 14 3,258,931 7/1966 Kelly ..62/2l6 51 Sept. 26, 1972 3,287,925 ll/l966 Kzne ..62/5l4 Primary ExaminerMeyer Perlin Attorney-Bailey & Dority [5 7] ABSTRACT An auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for chest-type freezers and the like, for automatically spraying a coolant into the freezer. The apparatus includes an elongated tubular member having a plurality of spaced openings therein for spraying coolant within a cavity, an outlet for relieving pressure build-up within the cavity, and a pair of spaced flat portions allowing the elongated member to rest on the walls of the freezer with the door closed. Controls are provided for automatically spraying coolant into the freezer responsive to a predetermined condition.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPZSIQYZ 3.693.371

SHEU 1 0F 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT E. C/LARK ATTORNEYS PATENTED I97? 3.693.371

sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT E. CLARK jail 1- 9 ATTORN AUXILIARY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS This invention relates to an auxiliary refrigerating apparatus, and more particularly to an elongated auxiliary refrigerating apparatus that can be readily mounted on a chest freezer without interferring with the operation of the door of the freezer.

One of the major problems with freezers and refrigerating systems wherein valuable items, such as food, medicine, laboratory specimens, etc., are stored is that if the refrigerating unit becomes inoperative for failure of electricity or a mechanical breakdown, then there is the possibility that the items being stored will be damaged as a result of the rise in temperature within the freezer. It is, also, desirable in some particular instances to lower the temperature of the freezer faster than the normal mechanical capabilities of the cooling unit associated with the particular freezer. The auxiliary refrigerating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention minimizes the possibility that the items stored within the freezer will be spoiled when there is a mechanical or electrical failure associated with the refrigerating unit. It also can be utilized with the freezer to lower the temperature of the cavity of the freezer rapidly.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for freezers and the like, which operates automatically upon the temperature within the freezer rising above a predetermined value to supply a coolant to the freezer.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for a freezer.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for a chest-type freezer and the like, which sprays a coolant into the chest freezer when certain predetermined conditions are reached, and is provided with an outlet to prevent pressure build-up within the freezer.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional chesttype freezer with the auxiliary refrigerating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted thereon,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the controls associated with the auxiliary refrigerating apparatus, and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the auxiliary refrigerating apparatus.

FIG. 1 shows an auxiliary refrigerating apparatus mounted on a chest-type freezer having walls joined by a bottom to define a cavity. A door A is carried by the walls for closing the cavity. The apparatus includes a source of coolant B. An elongated tubular member C extends across the cavity. The tubular member has an inlet adjacent one end carried outside of the freezer for receiving the coolant. An outlet is provided adjacent the other end and is positioned outside the freezer for relieving pressure build-up in the freezer. A main body portion is provided between the inlet and the outlet having a plurality of spaced openings therein. A restriction is carried in the tubular member between the outlet and the spaced openings. A passageway is provided in the tubular member between the restriction and the outlet communicating with the outlet for relieving pressure build-up in the chest. The elongated tubular member has a pair of relatively flat portions adjacent each end which rests on the side walls and permit the coolant to pass therethrough while the door is closed. A controller D is coupled to a temperature sensing means and a valve means for opening the valve responsive to the temperature in the freezer rising above a predetermined level. When the valve is open coolant is sprayed into the freezer to reduce the temperature of the freezer.

Referring in more detail to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a conventional chest-type freezer, generally referred to by the reference character 10. The freezer has a pair of side walls 11 and 12, front and rear walls 13 and 14, and a bottom joining the walls to define a cavity 15. The door A is connected by hinges 16 to the rear wall so that such can be lowered to close the cavity. A conventional flexible seal 17 is carried on the door for contacting the walls of the chest when closed. The elongated tubular member is flared adjacent one end for accommodating a coupling nut 18 together forming the inlet for the tubular member. The tubular member extends upwardly towards a flat portion 19 which is the approximate width of the side wall 11 or 12 of the chest. This flat portion 19 rests on the side walls for aiding in supporting the elongated member on the chest. It also allows the door A to be closed over the tubular member. The gasket, or seal 17, carried on the door prevents cold air from inside the freezer from escaping. Integral with the flat portion 19 is the main body portion 20 of the tubular member which has spaced holes 21 through which the coolant 22 is sprayed into the cavity of the freezer. Another flat portion 23 is carried adjacent the other end of the elongated member which rests on the side wall 12. The flat portion 23 terminates in an outlet 24 which is provided for relieving build-up of pressure within the freezer.

A restriction 25 is provided in the elongated tubular member between the holes 21 and the flat portion 23 for preventing the passage of the coolant beyond that point in the tubular member. The restriction 25 may take the form of a crimp in the tubular member. A passage 26 is provided in the tubular member C between the restriction 25 and the flat portion 23 for relieving a build-up of pressure in the freezer as a result of the coolant being sprayed therein. The passage 26 communicates with the outlet 24 through the tubular member. It is noted that the main body portion 20 of the tubular member is displaced downwardly into the cavity 15 of the freezer.

A temperature sensing element 27 is carried within the cavity of the freezer and is supported by brackets 28 attached to the tubular member C. The sensing element 27 is connected to the controller D.

The controller D includes a conventional pneumatically operated switch 28 which is controlled by the temperature sensing element 27. The switch 28 can be set at any desired temperature. The switch 28 is coupled by the tubular member 29 to a bottle of coolant,

such as liquid nitrogen and is operated by the pressure of the gas carried above the liquid nitrogen 30 in the bottle B. When the temperature sensing element 27 indicates that the temperature within the freezer has risen above the setting on the pneumatic switch 28, the switch 28 allows the pressure exerted by the gas in the bottle to communicate with the bottom of a pneumatic valve 31 to open the valve 31. When the valve 31 is opened liquid nitrogen is forced through conduit 32, valve 31 to the inlet 18 of the tubular member C. The liquid nitrogen is sprayed through the openings 21 into the freezer to lower the temperature of the cavity within the freezer. When the temperature drops below the setting on the pneumatic switch 28, such in turn, closes the valve 31 stopping the flow of liquid nitrogen.

The controller D is suitably mounted within a housing 33 which has a thin bracket 34 mounted on one side thereof. The bracket 34 is substantially U-shaped and is provided for fitting over the side wall 11 of the freezer supporting the controller. By using a thin bracket such can be bent to the size of the wall of the particular freezer. I

As can be seen, inlet 18 is coupled to a fitting carried on top of the housing 33. Insulation 34a is carried on the conduit between the inlet 18 and the side of the freezer. Insulation is also carried on the tubular pipe 32 for aiding in maintaining the nitrogen cold.

The auxiliary refrigerating apparatus can be readily mounted on the side of any conventional freezer by merely hanging the bracket 34 over the side. The elongated tubular member is then positioned across the freezer and is supported on the side wall on the flat portions 19 and 23. It is, of course, understood that the flat portions 19 and 23 allow the passage of coolant and escaping gas, respectively, therethrough.

As can be seen from the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus is completely self-contained and does not require any electricity to operate such. Therefore, if the device is mounted on a freezer which contains items that are subject to be contaminated or damaged by failure of the refrigeration system of the freezer, it will automatically maintain the temperature below a predetermined level set by the controller 28. The device can also be used as an auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for lowering the temperature of the freezer faster than the mechanical capabilities of the refrigerating unit provided for the freezer.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for a chesttype freezer, said freezer having a pair of side walls, from and rear walls, and a bottom joining said walls defining a cavity therebetween, a hinged door provided for closing said cavity, and seal means carried between said door and said cavity, the improvement comprising:

a source of coolant, an elongated tubular member carried between said side walls extending across said cavity, said tubular member having an inlet adjacent one end carried outside said freezer for receiving said coolant and an outlet adjacent the other end carried outilfizii'fsa lfi w 'uifil filfiil irgi'iii l m lilli' {3ft 3 plurality of spaced openings therein carried in said cavity, valve means coupled between said source of coolant and said inlet of said tubular member for controlling the flow of said coolant from said source of coolant to said inlet, a temperature sensing means carried in said freezer, a controller coupled to said temperature sensing means and said valve means for opening said valve responsive to the temperature in said freezer rising above a predetermined level for supplying said coolant to said tubular member to spray said coolant into said freezer in order to reduce the temperature in said freezer, spaced relatively flat portions provided adjacent opposite ends of said elongated tubular member, and said spaced relatively flat portions being carried on opposed side walls of said refrigerating apparatus for supporting said tubular member.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a restriction is carried in said tubular member adjacent said other end between said inlet and said outlet, a passage provided in said tubular member between said restriction and said outlet for communicating with said outlet for relieving pressure build-up.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller and said valve means are carried within a housing, a thin bracket having a portion extending over said side wall and being attached to said housing for supporting said housing adjacent a side wall of said housing.

4. An auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for a freeze having a wall joined by a bottom to define a cavity, a door carried by said wall for closing said cavity, the improvement comprising: a source of coolant; an elongated tubular member extending across said cavity; said tubular member having an inlet adjacent one end carried outside said freezer for receiving said coolant, an outlet adjacent the other end carried outside said freezer for relieving pressure build-up in said freezer, a main body portion between said inlet and said outlet having a plurality of spaced openings therein, a restriction carried in said tubular member adjacent said other end between said outlet and said spaced openings, a passageway provided in said tubular member between said restriction and said outlet for communicating with said outlet, and a relatively flat portion carried in said tubular member between said inlet and said spaced openings for supporting said tubular member on said wall of said freezer while permitting said door to be closed, and means coupling said source of coolant to said inlet for spraying coolant through said openings into said cavity for lowering the temperature of said freezer. 

1. An auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for a chest-type freezer, said freezer having a pair of side walls, front and rear walls, and a bottom joining said walls defining a cavity therebetween, a hinged door provided for closing said cavity, and seal means carried between said door and said cavity, the improvement comprising: a source of coolant, an elongated tubular member carried between said side walls extending across said cavity, said tubular member having an inlet adjacent one end carried outside said freezer for receiving said coolant and an outlet adjacent the other end carried outside said freezer for relieving pressure build-up in said freezer, said tubular member having a main body with a plurality of spaced openings therein carried in said cavity, valve means coupled between said source of coolant and said inlet of said tubular member for controlling the flow of said coolant from said source of coolant to said inlet, a temperature sensing means carried in said freezer, a controller coupled to said temperature sensing means and said valve means for opening said valve responsive to the temperature in said freezer rising above a predetermined level for supplying said coolant to said tubular member to spray said coolant into said freezer in order to reduce the temperature in said freezer, spaced relatively flat portions provided adjacent opposite ends of said elongated tubular member, and said spaced relatively flat portions being carried on opposed side walls of said refrigerating apparatus for suppoRting said tubular member.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a restriction is carried in said tubular member adjacent said other end between said inlet and said outlet, a passage provided in said tubular member between said restriction and said outlet for communicating with said outlet for relieving pressure build-up.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller and said valve means are carried within a housing, a thin bracket having a portion extending over said side wall and being attached to said housing for supporting said housing adjacent a side wall of said housing.
 4. An auxiliary refrigerating apparatus for a freeze having a wall joined by a bottom to define a cavity, a door carried by said wall for closing said cavity, the improvement comprising: a source of coolant; an elongated tubular member extending across said cavity; said tubular member having an inlet adjacent one end carried outside said freezer for receiving said coolant, an outlet adjacent the other end carried outside said freezer for relieving pressure build-up in said freezer, a main body portion between said inlet and said outlet having a plurality of spaced openings therein, a restriction carried in said tubular member adjacent said other end between said outlet and said spaced openings, a passageway provided in said tubular member between said restriction and said outlet for communicating with said outlet, and a relatively flat portion carried in said tubular member between said inlet and said spaced openings for supporting said tubular member on said wall of said freezer while permitting said door to be closed, and means coupling said source of coolant to said inlet for spraying coolant through said openings into said cavity for lowering the temperature of said freezer. 